Path: utzoo!dptcdc!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!ig!bionet!agate!ucbvax!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!unmvax!deimos.cis.ksu.edu!rutgers!att!ulysses!sfsup!spock
From: spock@sfsup.UUCP (+Giacchi T.)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Possible software THEFT!
Message-ID: <5172@sfsup.UUCP>
Date: 18 Apr 89 17:05:39 GMT
References: <4002@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu>
Reply-To: spock@/x25/spockUUCP (xt1122-+Giacchi T.)
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Information Systems
Lines: 41

In article <4002@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> foss@iris.ucdavis.edu (Jim Foss) writes:
>Dear Netlanders,
>
>The following has all names and specifics removed to protect the innocent
>and (potentially) guilty:
>
>Someone I know has spent considerable time developing the skills to become
>a programmer (specifically computer games). After a couple years of trial
>and error and detailed perfectionism a game was sent to several software
>vendors. A few expressed interest and contract negotiations began with one
>company. Shortly before final delivery the negotiations broke down due to
>"financial" troubles in the company.
>
>Now, an advertisement has appeared in a computer magazine promoting a VERY
>similar (if not the same) game from this company.
>
>What can this person do? Any suggestions? How can similar things be avoided
>in the future?
>

If your friend copyrighted the game (the concept and the implementation)
and he can prove that they used pieces of his code or design, etc... then
he has grounds for a possible lawsuit.  If he didn't copyright the stuff
then he is SOL.   In the future, not only copyright it, but also videotape
screens, etc... and submit those for copyright as well.  You might also want
to file a copy with an attorney as secondary proof of authorship.  I have
a friend who went thru something very similar, the only thing that saved
his neck was the copyright and the threat of a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

In any event, have him contact a laywer (one that specializes in copyright
law, and preferably  computer law!).  That is the first step. 


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